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Ship Carrying First Ukraine Grain Cargo Nears Syria

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. (Reuters)
The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. (Reuters)
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Ship Carrying First Ukraine Grain Cargo Nears Syria

The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. (Reuters)
The Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, carrying Ukrainian grain, is seen in the Black Sea off Kilyos, near Istanbul, Turkey August 3, 2022. (Reuters)

The first ship to depart Ukraine under a deal to resume grain exports from the country two weeks ago was approaching the Syrian port of Tartus on Sunday, two shipping sources said, after the vessel had been sailing with its transponder off.

The Sierra Leone-flagged Razoni set sail from Ukraine's Odesa port on Aug. 1 under the deal between Moscow and Kyiv, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, but its location had not been clear in the past days without the transponder.

The cargo of 26,000 tons of corn had originally been destined for Lebanon, which has been suffering an economic crisis that has plunged about half of its population into food insecurity.

However, the original buyer refused the delivery over quality concerns and the ship sailed to Turkey, docking in Mersin on Aug. 11.

When it set sail again the following day, it did not keep its transponder on. Two shipping sources, one of them in Tartus, confirmed to Reuters on Sunday that the ship was approaching the northwest Syrian port.

Ukraine has previously accused Syria of importing at least 150,000 tons of grain it said was plundered from Ukrainian warehouses after Russia's invasion in February. Russia has denied stealing Ukrainian grain.

Ukraine cut off diplomatic ties with Syria in June after Damascus recognized the independence of the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.

The Ukrainian Embassy in Lebanon sent Reuters a statement from the Ministry of Transport, which said it was "not responsible for vessel and cargo after it has left the Ukraine, moreover after vessel's departure from (a) foreign port".

"Our task has been to reopen seaports for grain cargo and it has been done," the statement said, adding it had no information about the position of the vessel or cargo destination.

Meanwhile, the UN-chartered ship Brave Commander will depart Ukraine for Ethiopia in the coming days, a UN official said. It will be the first humanitarian food aid cargo bound for Africa since Russia sent troops into Ukraine and under the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

And the first ship carrying Ukrainian wheat to be exported under the deal arrived in Istanbul on Sunday, the Joint Coordination Center based in the Turkish city, said.

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Arab World

Sudanese FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Reject a ‘Libyan Model’ with Formation of Parallel Government

Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Sudanese FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Reject a ‘Libyan Model’ with Formation of Parallel Government

Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister receiving his Sudanese counterpart in Cairo on Sunday (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Youssef Al-Sharif expressed firm opposition to what he described as the “Libyan model” being replicated in Sudan, emphasizing that any moves aimed at forming a parallel government are unacceptable.

He warned that such efforts would “weaken Sudan and complicate efforts to resolve the current crisis.”

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in internal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), labeled a “rebel militia” by the government. The war has claimed thousands of civilian lives and displaced millions both internally and externally.

In exclusive remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Cairo, Al-Sharif cautioned against the dangers of consultations being held by some political and civil actors to form a “parallel government,” describing such efforts as targeting the division and fragmentation of Sudan.

In recent weeks, Sudanese political forces, including figures from the “Tansiqiyya Taqaddum” coalition, have held discussions in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore the formation of a “peace government,” a move welcomed by the RSF.

The foreign minister described these initiatives as “a new conspiracy against Sudan,” alleging the involvement of external actors motivated by the military’s advances against the RSF. He emphasized Sudan’s reliance on countries that support its unity and stability to thwart these moves and ensure they are not legitimized. Al-Sharif highlighted that Egypt is at the forefront of nations on which Sudan depends in countering these efforts, adding that his country maintains strong relations with key Arab states and international powers, including Russia and China.

During talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdel Aty, the two ministers agreed that attempts to establish a parallel government would complicate Sudan’s internal situation. Al-Sharif praised Egypt’s support for Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and national institutions.

On warnings of famine in Sudan, the official dismissed claims by some international forces about the country facing famine, accusing these actors of trying to pressure the UN Security Council to intervene. He clarified that Sudan is experiencing a “domestic food crisis” but not famine.

Russia recently vetoed a British-sponsored resolution in the Security Council calling for the implementation of the Jeddah humanitarian agreement signed in May 2023. The resolution also proposed creating a regional protection force in coordination with the African Union and international partners to safeguard civilians in Sudan.

The minister linked international focus on the famine narrative to calls for a parallel government, describing these as part of a “unified conspiracy targeting Sudan’s resources and capabilities.”

He criticized the international community’s “weak response” to crimes committed by the RSF against civilians, asserting that the documented violations are sufficient grounds for the International Criminal Court to prosecute RSF leaders.

Sudan has taken legal measures through international organizations such as the UN Security Council and the African Union to classify the RSF as a terrorist group. Al-Sharif also criticized the global community for ignoring Sudan’s crisis while focusing on the war in Gaza. He urged action to restrict the movement of RSF leaders and hold accountable the states providing them refuge.

Regarding the resolution of the ongoing war, Al-Sharif asserted that military resolution is the only viable option at present. He highlighted the army’s progress toward military victory, attributing delays to the RSF’s strategy of using civilians and civilian infrastructure as shields.

The foreign minister insisted that a political solution cannot be pursued while the war continues, arguing that political issues must be left to civilian forces to discuss after a ceasefire is achieved. He emphasized that any lasting resolution must involve a ceasefire followed by the complete disbandment of the RSF, as Sudan cannot tolerate the existence of armed forces parallel to the national military.

On Sudan’s potential reinstatement to the African Union, Al-Sharif stated that restoring the country’s membership requires the formation of a civilian government in line with a constitutional document. He did not rule out the possibility of such a government being formed in the near future. “It is possible,” he said.